What’s in it for Pilot? Speculations take off

A day after the Congress leadership brought an end to the bitter feud between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot, there were flurried activities in the Rajasthan units of the party.

While Pilot reached Jaipur on Tuesday after more than a month to a rousing welcome by his supporters, Gehlot went to Jaisalmer to meet and talk to the MLAs staying put at hotel Suryagarh. There were reports about resentment among them at the rebel group being accepted into the party fold. The Gehlot camp fears this will encourage rebellion in the party to push demands.

Speaking to the media Gehlot said, “We have foiled the BJP’s conspiracy to topple the government. The government will last for full five years and we will come back to power in 2023. The government was in majority yesterday, is today and will continue to be in majority tomorrow also.”

Meanwhile, speculations are rife in Congress rank and file about the supposed deal has been worked out by party high command with Pilot. Gehlot said, “That is for high command to know. A three member committee has been formed, if there are any grievances, they will tell.” “I am the chief minister and if anyone is angry it is my responsibility to make his satisfied again. I have done this earlier and will continue to do it in future all my life.”

On his part, Pilot said, “I feel that whoever contributed to forming a government should get respect,” Pilot said. In another development, three independent MLAs met the CM.

BJP’s game spoiled

With its plans bombed, the BJP cancelled its legislators’ meet scheduled for Tuesday evening at a five-star hotel. It will now hold the meeting on Wednesday at its office. The party also tried to save cost by calling back its MLAs, who had been packed off in chartered planes, from Gujarat. They would be returning by buses, said sources.

On the legal front, The Supreme Court and the Rajasthan HC have deferred the hearing on 6 BSP MLAs' merger into Congress to Thursday.